Rahon lacks sewerage

A historic town, Rahon, has not had a sewerage system since independence.

Most houses in the town have latrine tanks, constructed with cement and bricks and in villages, people simply go out in the open to answer nature's call.

However, over time the drains dug for the purpose either fill with water and sometimes flows into nearby homes.

Lachhman Dass, a resident of Rahon, told HT, "We are using latrine tanks inside the house, as the town lacks a sewerage system."

He added even the tanks in their house need to be cleaned after six months, a really difficult task and one that they dread. He added that neglect by successive governments led to the present situation.

Another resident, Jog Raj Singh, said, "The state government had promised complete coverage of each town and village in the state before the assembly polls, but we have been cheated."

He claimed that situation was simply unbearable, especially in rains. BSP leader and municipal councillor Nachhtar Gill claimed that the problem needed to be dealt with seriously.

"The council also passed a resolution to apprise the state government and demanded that Rahon be made a part of Sutlej action plan, but to no avail," Gill added.

Congress leader Satish Chopra claimed, "The state government has failed to keep its promise of laying sewerage lines in Rahon, in spite of a promise by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal before the assembly polls."

Rahon municipal council president Dinesh Chopra claimed that Badal had granted Rs 14 crore for the sewerage project in March 2011, but the matter never went beyond the announcement.

"Due to the lack of sewage, dirty water seeped to a temporary Tunnel near Machhiwara in Ludhiana,"said Chopra.

Speaking with HT, sub divisional officer (sewage) Surinder Singh said, "The department has sent a proposal of Rs 25 crore for laying the sewage system, along with treatment plant in Rahon two months back. We are waiting for a response.